Speakers at a discussion yesterday criticised the caretaker government for being anti-people and called for handover of power to people's representatives as early as possible.

Former energy adviser to the B N P - J a m a a t government Mahmudur Rahman said, "This government has been formed by the elites, to serve the interests of the elites alone. Therefore they display sheer negligence and indifference towards the poor."

Mahmudur was speaking as chief guest at a discussion titled "Thirty-six years of independence and our achievements" organised by Chirantan Bangladesh Kendriyo Sangsad at National Press Club in the city.

The former energy adviser pointed out that the present government had evicted hawkers and slum dwellers in the cities and demolished market places in the villages in the name of anti-corruption drive.

"Not a single adviser could visit the Rangs building ruins where a number of dead bodies still lie trapped, though the building is situated so near to the Chief Adviser's office," Mahmudur Rahman said in severe criticism of the government's attitude towards the poor.

He also slammed the people and media for not coming forward to help those trapped and killed in the Rangs building incident.

Demanding restoration of democracy in the country, Khaleda Zia Mukti Parishad Convenor Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman urged the government not to show disregard towards all politicians by filing unnecessary cases against them.

He said" It is our country anti we shall run it. but not at gunpoint," adding that the caretaker government should only carry out the specific duties they have been assigned to do. Akhtaruzzaman urged the Election Commission to concentrate on the national elections. Hesaid that municipal orcity corporation elections should not

be their concern for now.

He criticised Bangladesh Bank for allegedly not running on its own guidelines but depending on the consultancies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

National Peoples' Party Convenor Sheikh Shawkat Hossain Nilu said the honesty in its activities claimed by the present government held no real value when prices of essential commodities and rale of inflation both are higher than in any previous government's time.

He called on the present government to try and understand what the people were trying to say to them, and also urged that the national elections be held as early as possible.

Nayadiganra Editor Alamgir Mohiuddin, New Nation Editor Mostafa Kamal Majumder and Press Institute of Bangladesh Chairman Sadek Khan also spoke at the discussion presided over by journalist Gias Kamal Chowdhury.